Wildlife guard assemblies and methods for using same
AssigneeTE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
InventorsAmith Ben Veigas, Vinayak G. Patil, Laura Jackson Hiller, Supreet Banaji, Benjamin Guardiola
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes a wildlife guard assembly for a power distribution line insulator. The wildlife guard assembly includes a first cover member pivotably coupled to a second cover member about a fastener. The first cover member includes a locking mechanism configured to engage with the second cover member to secure the first and second cover members in position when installed on the power distribution line insulator. Other wildlife guard assemblies and methods of installing a wildlife guard assembly on a power distribution line insulator are also described herein.
Claims20
A wildlife guard assembly for a power distribution line insulator, the assembly comprising:
- a first cover member having an actuator portion configured to receive a portion of the power distribution line insulator and a closure portion;
- and
- a second cover member pivotably coupled to the first cover member, the second cover member having an elongate slot extending from an outer edge toward a center, the elongate slot configured to receive the portion of the power distribution line insulator;
- wherein the assembly is configured to receive the power distribution line insulator such that, when the portion of the power distribution line insulator is slid within the elongate slot of the second cover member and engages the actuator portion of the first cover member, the first cover member moves in a first circumferential direction relative to the second cover member until the closure portion overlaps the second cover member to secure the assembly on the power distribution line insulator.
A wildlife guard assembly for a power distribution line insulator, the assembly comprising:
- a first cover member having a recessed area configured to receive a portion of the power distribution line insulator, the first cover member comprising:
- a coupling component;
- and
- a locking mechanism extending downwardly therefrom;
- a second cover member coupled to the first cover member, the second cover member having an elongate slot extending from an outer edge toward a center, the elongate slot configured to receive the portion of the power distribution line insulator, the second cover member comprising:
- an aperture aligned with the coupling component of the first cover member;
- and
- a hot-stick feature configured to engage a hot-stick during installation;
- and
- a fastener extending through the aperture of the second cover member and engaged with the coupling component of the first cover member, wherein the fastener defines a pivot point which allows the first cover member to move in a first circumferential direction relative to the second cover member to secure the assembly on the power distribution line insulator.
A method for installing a wildlife guard assembly onto a power distribution line insulator, the wildlife guard assembly comprising a first cover member pivotably coupled to a second cover member, the first cover member having a recessed area and the second cover member having an elongate slot, the method comprising:
- aligning a top end of the power distribution line insulator with an opening of the elongate slot of the second cover member;
- using a hot-stick, pushing the wildlife guard assembly such that the top end of the power distribution line insulator is received within the elongate slot of the second cover member and engages the first cover member within the recessed area;
- continuing to push the wildlife guard assembly such that the first cover member moves in a first circumferential direction relative to the second cover member until a locking mechanism of the first cover member engages an inner edge of the elongate slot of the second cover member;
- and
- securing the second cover member to the first cover member with a fastener to secure the wildlife guard assembly on the power distribution line insulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.